I have a 2009 GT and just had a Hurst Billet shifter installed.

Upon first driving it, the car is noticeably louder and when in motion, there is a distinct, ratcheting, "chatter".

Is this normal?
Does it need to "wear in"?
Or do you guys think something may have just gone wrong with the installation?
Could something be hitting the driveshaft?
Maybe some insulation got "lost"?

Any help or opinions are appreciated.
Thanks,
Mike

 

Sounds like something is loose. That is not normal. Must be from the install. You said you had it done. Did you ask te installer about it?

 

Haven't asked the installer yet.
Picked up the car just as the shop was closing.

Am wondering if they dropped the driveshaft for an easier install and maybe something didn't go back in right.

 

I've never had the Hurst Billet, but the other two shifters I had didn't require removing the driveshaft. You just drop it on from above. No problemo. You do have to get under the car for 2 or 3 bolts and thats it. I don't know how they could have messed up other than not tightening a bolt or cross threading a bolt. I think I remember someone having a problem with a bolt cross threading on a shifter install. Maybe someone who knows a little more can chime in.

 

I think the lower rubber boot does most of the sound insulation - I wonder if it's possible the installer didn't put it on the Hurst? You could easily pull up the upper leather boot and look:

http://www.fordmuscle.com/archives/2...fter/index.php

I don't have the billet Hurst, but the standard Competition Plus short throw Hurst is a bit more ratchety-sounding than the stock shifter. Definitely not a chatter though, and there shouldn't be any rattles either, or else something is loose.

 

Is it like, a metallic rattle at all? Mine did that over uneven pavement, at 1200RPM (when it would shake the exhaust hangers), and when doing over 70. I ran a bead of Break-Free Lubricant/Preservative around the ball/socket which worked its way down and filled in the bearing surface. That gave the parts a cushion, and it hasn't rattled since.

 

After listening to it a bit longer, the sound does seem to be something like described above. It is more apparent at certain RPMs than others.
Might just be the sound of the exhaust hangers, but the car is noticeably louder.

Thanks for your input guys.

 

It sounds like the stops are a little to tight or close to the stick. There is a small clearince between them.

 

I have the same problem. I've tightened it as much as possible and put thread locker on the ball, still rattles.

 

Will check into the stops.

Also good to hear that I'm not alone or that my hearing is going.
Thanks for the replies.

 

Try putting loctite blue on the two screws that attach the handle to the shifter, they are a usual suspect when it comes to chatter with a hurst .

 

check this out...

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=bWLef_OBEvE

 

I think I read somewhere (on here probably) that the Hurst/FRRP shifters were noticably louder than the stock items and that additional soundproofing material was required...

 

I agree. The screws coming loose is a common issue, and they do not have to be loose as in finger tight to let the stick rattle. Put on LocTite and torque them down. I have zero noise with mine after doing the same.